STANANDLOU client Stewart L. Skloss, founder of Pura Vida Tequila Company, hosted a Pura Vida Tequila Tasting Party at Mo’s Steakhouse, in Houston, TX, last night! We sampled three different Pura Vida Tequilas, Silver, Gold and Anejo, and I gotta tell you, they were excellent!

After sampling the tequilas pure (sipping shots) we then sampled 10 incredible mixed drinks using Pura Vida Tequila. Good? No, GREAT!!!

I cannot wait till the next tasting. In the meantime, I’m going to be real nice to Stewart in hopes I might be able to coerce out of a "pre-launch" bottle of Anejo before the distributors hog them all!!!

PHOTOS

Sarah Sides comes on board with more than five years of experience in the advertising and marketing arena. Formerly with McCann-Erickson/LCI Media in Houston and Garden Ridge nationally, Sarah has extensive knowledge buying all media in markets throughout the U.S. for a wide variety of clients.

“We are thrilled to add someone of Sarah’s background and experience join our media team. Her enthusiasm for media and identifying client opportunities cannot be understated,” said Michelle Reed, vice president of STANANDLOU Marketing // Advertising. “She is the perfect addition to our client focused media team.”

A team player in the office or on a volleyball court, Sarah’s dedication to her work is evident as a former supervisor noted. “Her excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills helped streamline and organize our department, so we could take on our greatest task, that of bringing the media buying and production in-house,” said, Annette Miller, Director of Marketing for Garden Ridge.

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Advertising, and a minor in Marketing from the University of Houston. While in school, Sarah was involved in several school and local organizations such as Houston American Advertising Federation, Alpha Chi Omega, and Young Active Professionals.

An 8-year agency veteran, Sarah Springer joins The STANANDLOU staff as account executive for S&L clients Me

xican Restaurants, Inc., Renaissance Health System, Obesity Surgery Specialists, Noel Furniture, and Honours Golf Club.

Sarah has managed all aspects of client accounts from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and is also an accomplished copywriter having written copy for client web sites, direct mail and other media.

“The first thing you notice about Sarah is her energy and enthusiasm for the job,” stated Reed. “Her ability to properly se

rvice a wide variety of clients and jobs simultaneously, and all with a smile, is indicative of her wonderful qualities.”

Sarah graduated from Texas A&M University with a major in journalism with an emphasis in public relations.

About STANANDLOU Marketing // Advertising

STANANDLOU Marketing//Advertising is a full-service communications firm based in Houston, TX. with estimated billings of $14.5 million. Started as a creative boutique in 1988, the agency has grown into a full-service agency regionally respected for pushing the creative envelope and providing strategic results. Clients include JourneyLite, Noel Furniture, Kolache Mama, Renaissance Health System, Stryker, Mexican Restaurants, Inc. and Buc-ee’s.

I brought the wrong footage! Well, let me rephrase that, I brought the right footage but in the wrong format. Remember the beta/VHS things many years ago? Well, it’s something like that. SONY HD videotape apparently can only be used with SONY HD machines!!!

Why can’t the world adopt one standard and make life easier for everybody?!!!

Ok, I’m over it now. Had to postpone my session with Don at TV Man until Monday.

Luckily, it’s Steak Nite over at PJ’s Sports Bar tonight and I can take my frustrations out on a piece of near raw T-bone! Feel better already…

If you ever want to feel good about life and get a nice boost of good energy, I heartily recommend that you talk to a person who has gone through weight-loss surgery.

You will be changed forever!

That’s how I felt after listening to these six amazing women who have lived almost their entire life overweight.

All have had weight-loss surgery at Obesity Surgery Specialists and all are in varying stages of their weight-loss journey, and after listening to their stories, you just want to go up and hug them. From Melissa, who has lost 500 pounds and has been featured on national TV, to Jasmine, who is just beginning her weight-loss journey, all of these wonderful people have had their lives transformed in so many different, wonderful ways.

They’re happy. They’re having fun. They’re healthier. And they have shown that with the right tools, you can do anything! We can all learn a great deal from these wonderful ladies!

Dave Henry of IFilm Productions shot the footage, Kate Wiggins of STANANDLOU was the interviewer, Rob from VT2 edited, VT2 producer, Morris Priddy, was executive producer, Willie Golden post-scored, and Lou Congelio produced. It was shot on the sound stage at VT2 Studios.

Barbara – Lost 115 pounds

Christina – Lost 77 pounds

Edith – Lost 78 pounds

Jasmine – Lost 60 pounds

Melissa – Lost 500 pounds

Rebecca (Spanish) – Lost 111 pounds

Rebecca (English) – Lost 111 pounds

Kolache Mama awarded STANANDLOU their marketing and public relations business after a review of several New York City and Houston agencies.

“I am pleased to relate the appointment of STANANDLOU as the advertising and marketing arm for Mama’s house,” stated Richard Saler, president of Kolache Mama. “This group is strong on both the creative and execution requirements necessary to help Mama reach the consumer/corporate markets she is seeking.”

The agency will be responsible for all aspects of marketing, advertising, PR, collateral, and web-based media.

“We are extremely excited and flattered by our new relationship with Kolache Mama, stated Michelle Reed, principal at STANANDLOU. “They needed local marketing and public relations representation that could respond quickly and effectively to the many challenges of introducing a new food concept to the New York City market.”

Saler added, “The approaches outlined by STANANDLOU are not only cost effective, but more importantly, unique and special. We are fortunate to find this rare breed here in Houston.”

STANANDLOU’s first assignment is to launch the first two Kolache Mama stores opening in New York City shortly after Labor Day, 2009.

Kolache Mama is a fast casual restaurant whose mission is to provide unique and flavorful products made with the freshest ingredients to insure the wholesome, satisfying experience of eating Kolache Mama’s special products. Kolache Mama is a GREEN company relative to its utilization of materials and conforms to all fair trade practices in the ordering of ingredients, materials, and supplies.

Renaissance Healthcare System called on STANANDLOU after new owners and management determined a total rebranding was vital for the three hospital medical group.

“STANANDLOU has a wealth of experience in healthcare. They get it,” noted Kirk Soileau, CEO of Renaissance Healthcare System. “Their focus on ROI, building brands and creating excellent work makes them the ideal choice to be stewards of our brand.”

The agency is tasked with creating campaigns across multiple media channels, including TV, print, direct mail, web-based media and out-of-home venues.

Michelle Reed, agency principal, said, “The win is notable because it gives STANANDLOU a chance to leverage a recognizable brand name in fresh ways to attract a new generation of customers.”

STANANDLOU was brought aboard to reposition Renaissance hospitals in their respective local communities while communicating details of their new service lines to consumers and executing traditional brand messaging.

“Our 20+ years experience in healthcare with such great brands as Scripps Clinic, St. Luke’s Episcopal Healthcare System, and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has helped us become fairly knowledgeable about the industry,” noted Lou Congelio, president of STANANDLOU. “I’m sure we can apply the same level of thinking to Renaissance.”

Renaissance Healthcare Systems, Inc. (“Renaissance”) was formed to acquire, develop, manage, and convert existing struggling hospitals into profitable acute hospitals. It is the mission of Renaissance management to convert under‑performing acute care hospitals into profitable acute care hospitals.

STANANDLOU was tapped again, this time by the Houston Dynamo to handle the media portion of their advertising efforts after a review of seven local ad agencies.

“We chose STANANDLOU based on their ability to maximize value by integrating Dynamo and sponsor needs with our media partners,” stated Rocky Harris, vice president of Marketing for the Houston Dynamo. “They brought fresh ideas to the table and the metrics to measure the success of the campaign.”

STANANDLOU is responsible for media strategy, placement and promotion to Hispanic and general markets.

“We have a strong system in place to leverage media buys with client needs and promotional activities adding extra value to each media dollar,” said Brandy Castille, Media Director at STANANDLOU. “Outside of traditional media placement, we look for opportunities that create win-win-win situations to all.”

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. Currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak, the Dynamo will face Eastern Conference leader Chicago on the road Friday night before returning home for a Wednesday, June 10 clash with Western Conference leader Chivas USA at Robertson Stadium. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children’s Health Plan Family Section. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.

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Showing off our Texas pride

Toasting to one of our favorite times of the year...rodeo season!

Disclaimer: It was 5:00

Lasso-ing Lou

STANANDLOU buckaroos

Rodeo weekend got off to a great start, and we hope to make this an annual tradition. Yee-haw!

But wait,  there were more winners Saturday night!

STANANDLOU and I won two gold ADDYs, one silver ADDY, and a Special Judges Award for Public Service Advertising for our new “Just Ask! ads! . That was a total surprise to me. I’m thankful that the work here on the Just Ask campaign is getting noticed. More people will learn about nf as we keep pushing forward. Thank you all for supporting the site with your visits.  SEE ALL THE ADS HERE.

- Reggie Bibbs